Head to the High Line: NYC’s Avant-Garde Park Is a Hot Spot

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Just over a year ago, New York City opened the first section of the High Line, an elevated park that stretches from Gansevoort Street to 20th Street between 10th and 11th Avenues. The High Line was originally constructed in the 1930’s as a way to lift hazardous freight trains off of the city’s streets, and the fixture of New York’s industrial past is now preserved as a vibrant pathway of innovative design and flourishing landscape.

By 2011 the remainder of the park will open, stretching all the way to 34th Street—totaling a mile and half in length and hovering over the Meatpacking District, Chelsea and Midtown West neighborhoods.

Since the park opened, more than two million visitors have traversed its winding walkways. And with all that’s going on there—from gardening programs and art exhibits to free fitness classes and food samplings, it has quickly become one of the city’s hippest summer hangouts.

Check out July’s calendar of events:

Free Pilates Fusion Class, Every Tuesday, 10am; FREE

Stargazing with the Amateur Astronomers Association, Every Tuesday, 8:30pm; FREE

Walking Tour with High Line Gardeners, July 6, 12pm; $10 for members / $15 for non-members

High Line Design Walking Tour, July 7, 6:30pm; $10 for members / $15 for non-members

High Line Art Walking Tour, July 14, 6:30pm; $10 for members / $15 for non-members